Ornamental Kale 'Crane White'

Crane White (Brassica oleracea)

Bring a touch of elegance to your late-season bouquets with Ornamental Kale ‘Crane White’. This striking variety features tall, upright stems topped with densely layered green leaves and crisp white centres that grow more luminous as the temperatures drop. Bred for uniformity, strength, and beauty, Crane White is part of the reliable Crane series, specially selected for cut flower production.

Also known as flowering kale or ornamental cabbage, this cold-hardy plant thrives in autumn and early winter, adding texture and colour to floral arrangements long after many flowers have faded. Whether planted in garden beds, borders, or containers, Crane White makes a graceful addition to fall displays, offering a clean, fresh contrast to deeper seasonal hues.

DETAILS:

QTY: 50

SITE: Full Sun

TYPE: Annual

SEED DEPTH: 1/4 - 1/2"

GERMINATION: 10-14 days at 21-29°C

HEIGHT:  24 - 36"

MATURITY: 90 - 110 Days

SPACING: 4 - 6"

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:

Indoors (recommended): Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before you plan to transplant them. After germination, grow seedlings in cool conditions (16–21°C for 3–4 weeks. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before planting outside.

Direct Seed (alternative): Sow seeds outdoors about 10–12 weeks before your first expected fall frost.

Pinching: When plants reach 10–12" tall, you can remove the lower leaves to encourage strong stem growth and a cleaner appearance. Repeat this 3–4 times as the plants mature.

Soil Preference and Watering: Ornamental kale thrives in full sun and requires well-drained, fertile soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during germination and establishment.

Fertilizing: For vibrant colour and robust growth, amend the soil with compost before planting. You can also apply a balanced fertilizer every 4–6 weeks.

Harvesting: The vibrant colour of ornamental kale develops once nighttime temperatures consistently drop below 10°C. Harvest the stems for arrangements when they are firm and the colour is fully developed.